NEWPORT (Shropshire): NRBL A clinched the 2011/2012 Newport Pool League title on Wednesday night with a comfortable 1-5 victory over Junction B at Norbury.

Despite the fact that LSC at the Tav won their match against King’s Head B without dropping a frame, NRBL A remain 10 points in front of their main rivals with just three games still to play.

Skipper Mick Beech led from the front with victory over Mick Ashforth and Wayne Dodd and Antony Heathcote made it 0-3. It was left to Jason Taphouse to seal the fourth black and secure the league title, although Ashforth and Steve Blakemore did pull the fifth frame back for the Staffordshire side. “Wim done it ay we,” quipped a delighted Beech.

LSC’s first whitewash of the season came at the expense of the girls at the King’s Head. Greg Heathcote, Andy Miles, Neil Perkins and Ian Roberts got the better of Maggie O’Brien, Lucy Hennessey, Chris Perry and Lyn Day, but the girls did push the second-placed side all the way in two tight doubles racks.

King’s Head A still have one eye on second position and faced a tricky away encounter at the Railway Tavern. They came away with one point after a tight draw and now trail LSC by four points with three games remaining, although the Chetwynd End side do have the easier run-in of the two.

Stu Morrey beat Graham Tigwell to put the home side into the lead, Irene Whittington potted well to oust Dave Bristow and level the score, but Adam Stone hit back with a win over Jamie James to make it 2-1.

Ian Perry dug deep to pip Greg Quinn in rack four and honours were shared in the doubles, with Quinn catching fire to ‘seven-ball’ Tigwell and Whittington off the break in frame five. Trevor Smith and Perry secured the vital point for the defending league champions in rack six.

Junction A visited NRBL B and came away with all three points. Sion Richards and Keith Rogers got the better of Mike and Jack Jones to make it 0-2, but Liam Matthews pipped Steve Roycroft to pull a frame back for the home team. It was one-way traffic from then on and Hyla Marklew’s win over Dave Haynes was followed up by two good doubles wins by the Norbury side.

The Plough entertained the Wheatsheaf in Woodseaves and the visitors came with all three points after a 2-4 win, while the Navigation won the all-Gnosall clash against the Horns with the loss of just one frame.

The Royal Navy Club hosted the Newport Arms Hotel in the final clash of the night. The Bellman’s Yard outfit secured all three points by the odd frame.

Please also be reminded that entries for the Danfords Motor Auctions Newport Pool Open, Railway Tavern Newport Ladies Open and Shakespeare Newport Doubles Open will close on July 8th and individuals and teams are requested to fill in forms and leave monies with respective landlords as soon as possible.

The draw will take place at the Railway Tavern at 20.00hrs on July 9th, but people who have not paid their entries will not be included in the draw.